Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  99 malibu - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Truckinkev - January 13 - 12:10 pm

  45000 miles so far and it`s been a very good car. Transmission is very smooth and the 4 cyl motor has good power while delivering 27-30 mpg. On the down side the climate control is weak...the heat takes forever and the a/c isn`t much better.

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  Over 310hp+25mpg+23k= A steal!! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Musashi - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car over a year ago. The LS-1 engine really was the main factor. However, the whole car is just a good package with a lot of potential. Great looks, goes like bat out of hell, and I got 25.5mpg on a trip to Pennsylvania with the a/c on! The stock Z-28 leaves with a lot of options on how you want the car to perform. Its a great base for autocrossing, open tracking, or drag racing. The aftermarket industry has a lot to offer. And getting help over the net is easy with sites like ls1.com and ls1tech.com Overall, an inexpensive car with tons of potential.

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  Cant Beat It - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By engine39 - January 13 - 2:00 am

  There are draw backs to a truck this size. But none take away from the overall satisfaction of driving it. I wouldnt trade it for any vehicle in its class.

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  1993 beretta - 1993 Chevrolet Beretta
  By peace13 - January 12 - 2:00 am

  This is the most reliable car Ive ever owned! It had always started up the first time, no matter how cold or hot. It handles great and is a very easy size to take anywhere. The only problem I ever had was with the air conditioning unit. They tried to fix it several times and it has just never run right.

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  96 Astro Extened 8 pass. 1/12/2003 - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By Indian - January 12 - 2:00 am

  139,000 mi on this van,stil runs excellent all maintenance performed by owner,great family hauler/traveler,17/22 MPG replaced engine seals,timing chain,oil cooler lines and all brake componets exc.brake lines at approx.120,000 mi.,water pump tensioner pulley at 90,000 mi.,major tune-up at 100,000 mi.including o2 sensors,two previous minor brake jobs at 45,000 and 70,000 mi. window motors replaced 100,000 mi.,fuel pump replaced, 75,000 mi.,other than too many brake jobs this has been a very reliable van,no rust yet and is operated in northwest Ohio.

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  GOOD BUT CRAMPED - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By orchunter - January 12 - 2:00 am

  A good small truck,the 4x4 is a very nice option not to be without. This truck has always been up to any challange that I came up with!.

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  camaro SS 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By samson O - January 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my third 4th gen. F-body, and no doubt the best one i have driven. It is equiped with the optional revised bilstein suspension and high performance exhaust. Performance is exceptional for an automatic, offers unusually strong accelerations. Suspension is surprisingly good, very little body roll holds corners tightly and feels better on rough roads then my previous f-bodies. High marks for its velvety zo6 like exhaust note. Paint finish is excellent. Inside is somewhat cheap with the occasional rattle fixed by the dealership, annoying axle noise, metallic ticking noise from aluminum drive shaft during change of gears.

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  Total Blast for under $15000!!!!!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dmonte3 - January 12 - 2:00 am

  What a blast to drive! Pop out the T- tops, crank up the tunes, and find the road with the most curves! People often disrespect the V-6 Camaro, favoring the V-8. Those are the ones who have never driven one! Granted, its not a 305 horse monster like the Z-28, but the lighter V-6 placed nearly under the dashboard helps for much better weight disribution and go-cart like handling. The car has enough power to be fun, yet is quite controllable and predictable. It isnt a Z-28 but then again, it has nothing to prove....only to impress!

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  1996 Camaro Z28/LT1/6 Speed - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Aaron McIntosh - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Though i find the vehicle very fun to drive...the fuel economy is bad, it might have been a better car if the dealership had told me it was in 5 accidents before with over $30,000 dammage plus it was once stolen. And I paid $15,045 Canadian for it and it still goes like hell the only time I see a 5.0L is in the mirror. Although I am trying to bring this car back to the dealer (myself and my lawyer) I will deffinetly buy another.P.S. DONT EVER BUY A CAR FORM REG MIDGLEY MOTORS IN COLVILLE BRITISH COLUMBIA.

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  Everything I had hoped for and more! - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Eli Herron - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my car in November of 2001. I love it! I had to replace the tires shortly after I bought it, but they were inexpensive. I drive it all over Arizona for work and I have no problems with it. I change the fluids religiously so I am sure that has alot to do with the performance. I highly recommend the car to anyone! Unless you are very tall. I am 5 11 and it fits me just fine.